9/1 Moore’s TNA Impact Wrestling TV Review: Lashley vs. Mike Bennett in a no DQ match for the TNA Championship, Rosemary invades the Hardy Compound, Allie’s championship celebration, Ultimate X for the X Division Championship

By John Moore

TNA Impact Wrestling on PopTV
Taped in August at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida

Reby Sky and the Hardy family (including Jeff, Senor Benjamin, and Vanguard 1) were singing Jeff Hardy’s new obsolete theme. Matt called Reby’s mastery of the keys of ivory intoxicating. Maxel started to play his piano which made Matt expel weird noises. Maxel’s playing caused Matt to have yet another premonition. Matt said the next great battle will not happen at the Impact Zone. Matt said the battle will happen on the Hardy ground, the ground of deletion. Matt informed Benjamin and Vanguard 1 to protect the grounds as well as King Maxel/Rebecca with their lives. Rebecca said they would be alright while holding some sort of toy/weapon(?)…

John’s Thoughts: The next Final Deletion is coming, folks!

Mike Bennett’s theme started to play back at the Impact Zone. Mike Bennett made his way to the ring with his wife Maria. Josh Mathews said Bennett showed his true colors last week by betraying his friend Moose last week to get a world title. Mathews said that Bennett should be on the lookout for a moose. Bennett said he’s been asking people for a year if they believe. He said the answer was always “yes we do!”. He said they say it because they believe in the Miracle and the Miracle Movement.

Bennett said the Miracle Movement was here to Save TNA and it will happen tonight when Bennett becomes world champion. Bennett said he was the best wrestler in the planet. He said he surrounds him successful people like his wife and the most destructive force in pro wrestling, Moose. Bennett said people might be wondering where Moose is and said that Lashley is trying to start a rift between Bennett and Moose. Bennett wanted Moose to come out but Lashley’s theme and Bobby Lashley came out instead…

Bobby Lashley said he was sorry, but the truth was Moose doesn’t want anything to do with Bennett so the confidence game was out of the window. Lashley said he doesn’t have to fake confidence, he’s sure he’s going to beat Bennett just like Angle, Galloway, Storm, Edwards, and DJ Z. Lashley said all of the rules can be thrown out of the window because he’s sure he’s going to beat Bennett. Mike Bennett said he doesn’t think Lashley is confident enough to put his money where his mouth is. Lashley said fine, it could be a no-dq match. Lashley said Bennett could only win if Moose were available.

Bennett started to talk and Lashley flexed a bicep in front of him. Bennett said don’t do that. Bennett said the facade was due to Lashley being jealous of Moose for being bigger, badder, and better. Bennett said he thinks that Moose didn’t join Lashley for his dinner invitation. Lashley said the evidence points towards Moose accepting the dinner. Lashley said maybe he just smartened Moose up and tell Moose that Bennett was just using him. Lashley said he might have promised him a title shot down the road. Lashley said maybe Moose hates Bennett’s guts. Bennett said he doesn’t believe it and that Moose is still on his side. Bennett said tonight he would become TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Lashley said he was confident he was going to whoop Bennett’s ass and come out as World Champion because no one was stopping him.

The Moose theme played with Moose coming out. Josh Mathews and Pope D’Angelo Dinero wondered about Moose’s allegiance. Lashley had a cocky expression. Moose grabbed a mic and said it was funny everyone was talking about him. He said the whole Impact Zone was chanting “Moose”. He said ever since he came here he let his actions do the talking and whoever got in his way he knocked them straight on their ass. He said Bennett and even Lashley knows this. Moose said he didn’t meet Lashley anywhere last week. Bennett gained his confident back and gloated to Lashley about Moose still being on his side. Bennett said “we” will become World Champion. Moose said he didn’t forget about last week and said that tonight he decides who becomes TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Moose walked off and led everyone in his theme music. Josh Mathews hyped Broken Matt Hardy vs. Crazzy Steve for later on…

John’s Thoughts: Lashley was good here as usual and got to show a bit more of his confident edge on the babyface side; but with as good as Lashley has been as a heel, I would prefer he not try to overstretch his talents by having him be a babyface soon. TNA’s bad past has consisted of pointless heel/face turns. The setup of this confrontation is a bit clunky when you sit down to think about it, but at least Moose is at a better place now than being Bennett’s lackey.

Clips aired of Ethan Carter III defeating Drew Galloway last week as well as Drew Galloway’s subsequent beatdown of the guest referee Aron Rex. Josh said we would hear from Drew later tonight. Crazzy Steve was in the middle of his entrance when we cut back to the Impact Zone…

1. Crazzy Steve vs. Broken Matt Hardy (w/Jeff Hardy). Steve and Matt made weird facial expressions at each other. Steve held his hand up for a test of strength that Matt accepted. Matt bit Steve’s wrist. Josh Mathews called it a taste of strength. Josh then told people to buy broken Matt and Brother Nero T-Shirts. Steve mounted the first nearfall of the match. Steve bit Matt’s face in a chinlock. Steve missed a cannonball. Matt slammed Steve’s head on things with the crowd chanting “delete”.

Matt gained a nearfall after a side effect. Josh Mathews asked the question as to the whereabouts of Rosemary and Abyss. Matt back body dropped Steve to the outside. Jeff pummeled Steve with Matt distracting the referee. Jeff slammed a boot several times on Steve. Matt Hardy hit the twist of Fate to earn the victory.

Broken Matt Hardy defeated Crazzy Steve via pinfall in 4:17.

As the Hardy’s were leaving, Crazzy Steve had a mic and made some sadistic laughs. Steve said that even though Matt has his broken brilliance he is blind to what’s going around him. He said he may have come alone, but decay is everywhere including the Hardy estate. Steve said King Maxel no longer belongs to Matt Hardy and Reby. Matt said that Maxel is now Rosemary’s baby. The X Division random guys did an X Division commercial to try to make themselves sound important. Trevor Lee even talked for once…

John’s Thoughts: There was no question that Hardy was the favorite here due to the Hardy’s being main eventers while Decay is still upper mid-card. Steve actually gains from working with the main eventers while also losing due to Jeff cheating with weapon shots. It also worked out that Steve’s goal was not to win but to distract Matt from their goal of kidnapping Maxel Hardy.

Matt Hardy had an Alt+Ctrl+”Delete” shirt on and said he premonition was coming true as he was talking to Jeff. Matt said their abode was in peril. Matt Hardy then tried to call Reby via FaceTime. Matt then sent Vanguard 1 to scan the grounds. Maxel was shown in what looked like a gym as Rosemary emerged in the background…

It was ultimate X time. Josh Mathews used more of those Vince McMahon terms by saying that the title was in a state of Abeyance…

2. X Division Gauntlet Ultimate X Match for the vacant X Division Championship. Trevor Lee and DJ Z were the first two wrestlers to start off. Mathews said the gauntlet doesn’t have to complete if Lee of Z could grab the title hanging over the ring. Mathews said that Lee would have the advantage once Andrew Everett made his way to the ring. Z made his first attempt on the title after hitting Lee with a crossbody. Lee ran to Z and caught him with a clothesline. Lee and Z prevented each other from climbing the scaffolding. Josh cut to a random camera showing all the X Division guys standing in gorilla position waiting for their turn.

John’s Thoughts: TNA really has to find a way to make these guys individuals as opposed to a damaged group of jabrones.

The countdown played and Andrew Everett entered. DJ Z gave Everett a reverse hurancanrana. Lee took down Z with a high angle front kick from the apron. Lee and Everett tried to climb different points of the X structure. They climbed down to keep Z under control. Andrew Everett hit Z with a drop toehold into the knee of Lee. Lee and Everett took their time.

Mandrews ran out next and wore blue pants this time so he doesn’t look like Spud. Mandrews threw Lee on top of Everett and hit them with a standing shooting star. Mandrews hit Lee with a double footstomp. He hit a flip stunner on Everett next to go for the X Title. Trevor Lee met Mandrews on the top rope but was knocked down. Mandrews hit a huracanrana on Everett to lead to commercial.[C]

Sutter was already in the ring after the break with Spud’s entrance counting down. Spud took advantage of everyone down to make his way towards the X Title. Sutter’s recovery caused Spud to retreat. Sutter tossed Spud to the ground and mounted an offense on Spud. Spud was planted with a power slam. Trevor Lee hit a nice right hand on Sutter. Mandrews took out Lee with a headscissors. Mandrews hit everyone except Z with a Tope Con Hilo. Everett hit Z with a shoulder to the gut. Everett hit everyone else with a moonsault. Hit his usual flip on the X Division cluster outside.

Trevor Lee and Mandrews emerged from the cluster and fought inside of the ring. Lee hit the stomp on Andrews. Sutter and Lee traded forearms with Lee gaining the upperhand. Sutter clotheslined Lee to the outside. All of the X guys traded blows in the middle of the ring. Sutter had the best chance to go after the title before Rockstar Spud took him down with a steel chair. Andrews dropkicked the chair into Spud. The North Carolina guys were up next and climbed from two angles. Lee and Everett then both had the title unstrapped. DJ Z jumped in and stole the title to win the match for himself. DJ Z celebrated and made his bad BroMan noises. The crowd was somewhat happy that the babyface won…

DJ Z defeated the rest of the X Division in Ultimate X to become the new X Division Champion.

EC3 was interviewed and said his match against Drew Galloway was a fight of his life. He said Drew’s issues with Aron was unfortunate but not his business because his business is in the Main Event and the world title. Eli Drake walked in and said he was pulling for EC3 to win at Bound For Glory because tonight he has to stand in front of the ring with Drake in a match and if Drake wins he will become an automatic number one contender. EC3 cut off Drake’s catchphrase and said the fact was Drake’s ass was being kicked. Drake tried to act tough as EC3 walked off…

The cameraman walked up to a hooded Drew Galloway. Drew said this was not the place and the cameraman was not the person he would tell this to. Drew said he was heading back to where all this occurred to tell everyone what’s exactly going on in his head right now… [C]

John’s Thoughts: To give the X Division a little credit, that finish was a nice throwback to Trevor Lee and Hurricane doing the same finish a few months ago to help Lee win the title. That still doesn’t undo all of the damage that has been done. The X Division are just a cluster of guys who lack identities. They do talkshows together, they appear in commercials together, and they even hang out at the gorilla position together waiting for their turn to run out to the playground to play. The gauntlet style of Ultimate X could have meant something, but we’re getting an average of two Ultimate X matches per month and that unique match is just being buried into the ground. There’s my X Division rant of the week! I actually hope WWE gets to their cruiserweight division soon and that TNA rips them off to repair the damage to this band of cliche high school nerd jabrones (jumping jabrones as Eli Drake calls them).

Drew Galloway made his entrance to the Impact Zone looking dark and brooding with a black hoodie. Josh Mathews recapped Galloway’s grudge against EC3 for costing him multiple title shots as well as his breaking point when he turned against Aron Rex. Josh Mathews called it an unnecessary beatdown.

The crowd chanted “Why? Drew? Why?”. Drew responded directly by saying you don’t know what you got till it’s gone, till it breaks, till it snaps. He said he’s asked himself why? He wondered why he stood up for this place, everyone in the back, and all of you (the people). He said when he won the world title he went in the crowd and celebrated. He said he partied with the crowd for a week. Drew said when EC3 cost him title shots, people chose EC3 over him.

Drew also was confused as to why Dixie Carter would insert Aron Rex in the main event. Drew Galloway then went on to blame the fans for cheering a referee over him. Drew said he saw what Aron was doing, he already done it. Drew said he is a verb. To do a “Drew” is to succeed in spite of others due to talent. Drew said Aron is trying to be Drew and Drew was Aron’s messiah. Drew said it was time to teach Rex a lesson. Drew said if he sees Aron Rex again he is going to put him in the hospital.

Billy Corgan’s theme played as Corgan walked out of the smoke. Corgan called Drew Mr. Galloway and said his actions were reprehensible. Corgan said that Drew was disrespecting everyone in the back. Drew Corgan is doing his excessive hand gestures by the way. Corgan said Drew had some Scottish paranoia and that he considered suspending Drew without pay. Corgan said he was convinced not to.

Drew mocked Corgan for being a rebel once and now “Dixie Carter’s little bitch”. Corgan said that was cute. Corgan said it was Dixie that convinced him. Aron Rex walked out and said “It was Me!”. Rex said he didn’t want Drew suspended and it was “party time”. Drew and the former Sandow brawled. Rex slammed Drew on the steel steps. Rex tried to use the steel chair but was held back by security. Drew used this commotion to gain the upper hand for a bit until he was held back. Both of them broke free and rolled around on the ground. Suddenly the X Division ran out to stop Rex and Drew…

Reby Sky finally picked up the phone and Matt Hardy warned Reby that Rosemary and “The Abyss” were possibly coming to their home. Matt said he wants to make sure that Reby and Maxel were safe. Vanguard 1 contacted Matt’s other iphone and it detected that Rosemary was in the house… [C]

John’s Thoughts: Drew was actually good on the mic here and I was afraid we were going to see classic boring heel Drew McIntyre on the mic. I shouldn’t have worried because Drew has grown a lot since then. I’m still not fully sold on Drew as a heel yet since he’s such a great babyface. The reason the fans cheered EC3 over Drew wasn’t because of Drew losing steam, but rather Drew looking directionless in his feud with EC3 while EC3 was still in other programs. I’m also not high on Aron Rex being a Drew Galloway replica which you can tell the creative team is fully aware of. Let’s see where this goes. Also, another X Division shot, it was sad to see the X Division relegated to the job usually given to indie wrestler security guards.

3. Eli Drake vs. Ethan Carter III. Drake cornered Carter out of the initial lockup and hit some right hands on Ethan. Ethan came back with a clothesline and some jabs of his own. EC3 hit a knife edge chop on Drake. Drake was then manhandled by EC3 and sent to the outside. Eli Drake took a sip of water and teased walking away. EC3 went to pursue Drake and Drake suckered EC3 in. EC3 powered back and they fought around the barricade. Eli Drake countered in the ring with a float over DDT to earn a two count.

Drake dominated for a sequence. EC3 countered but had his TKO blocked. Drake hit a forward powerslam to gain a pin attempt. EC3 fought back with a jawbreaker but missed a stinger splash. Drake hit a neckbreaker on EC3. Drake hit clubbing blows to the back of EC3’s neck. Ethan made it to a vertical base and the two wrestlers traded blows. Drake went for the float over DDT again but right into the TKO from EC3. EC3 mounted an offensive sequence and hit the stinger splash this time. Drake was planted by the Flapjack. EC3 hit the one percenter to pick up the win.

Ethan Carter III defeated Eli Drake via pinfall in 6:02.

Ethan Carter III yelled “Four Weeks!” in regards to Bound for Glory. They sent the camera to Jeremy Borash. Borash was given balloons and she introduced herself as the new Knockouts Champion. Allie said the balloons and party stuff was assigned by Maria for Allie’s championship celebration. They cut to commercial… [C]

John’s Thoughts: That was a better than expected match from Eli Drake and good job to EC3 for putting on a solid performance while making Eli Drake look credible. Drake got a surprising amount of offense on the number one contender but Ethan is a damage sponge who isn’t hurt by selling. Good match!

Suddenly Reby Sky was running around in a horror movie. She grabbed a sword for protection. The door opened and thankfully for Maxel and Reby, it was SeÒor Benjamin. Reby took the sheaved sword with her and said she was going to take care of the bitch herself. SeÒor Benjamin held on to baby Maxel…

DJ Z was interviewed and he said it took him four years to get back to the title. He said he had health problems, girl problems, personal problems, and he didn’t think he was getting back to this title. He said in 2016 he thought to himself was to put a little extra effort to see if it pays off. Eddie Edwards walked in the camera and congratulated DJ Z. Z said he was stepping up to the challenge. He did his dumb babababa thing….

Allie made her entrance next with the championship belt and some balloons. Allie said this was a celebration for the new champion “me allie!”. Allie said never ever in a trillion years did she think this day would come and thanked everyone who chanted her name last week. Allie said none of this would be possible without the one person that believed in her, the moon and stars and her favorite person. She was then cut off by Sienna and Maria. Sienna marched to the ring angry.

Maria held Sienna back. She said it was Gail Kim’s fault. Maria sent Sienna to the back and said she had the night off. Marie said that Allie is always excited to do everything she says, but she was confused about the purpose of the celebration. Allie said she understands that it was to make her celebration perfect. Maria belittled Allie and said who would cheer the assistance. Allie said she was actually an apprentice. Maria said no one wants Allie to say anything because she is worthless just like all of the people. She said Allie messed up her division and the celebration since she wants green balloon.

Maria said the celebration was for her opponent. Allie said everyone had the night off so who was the opponent. Maria wanted Allie to lie down and hand her the championship. Allie refused. She said Allie was nothing before she met Maria and demanded that Allie lay down. Allie begrudgingly laid down with some assistance from Maria.

4. Maria vs. Allie for the TNA Knockouts Championship. Allie laid down and gave up the title.

Maria defeated Allie via pinfall in 0:04 to become the new TNA Knockouts Champion.

Maria demanded that Allie put the title on her and announce her as the new TNA Knockouts Champion. Allie agreed but said it in a sad voice. Streamers fell from the sky and Maria held up a champagne bottle. Allie was left alone in the ring. Josh Mathews called Maria “soulless”…

John’s Thoughts: As bad as the buildup to Allie winning the championship was, that was actually a rally good segment to babyface her to the crowd. TNA needs another babyface not named Gail Kim for the crowd to rally behind and it looks like they might have one here in Allie. Thank God for the great Impact Zone crowd at this set of tapings and they put Allie over very well despite the clunky buildup to this Gail Kim title quest. I’m actually intrigued to see if Allie gets over as the next generation babyface that TNA really needs.

Backstage, Mike Bennett tried to calm down Moose and said that it was Lashley trying to get in their heads. Mike Bennett mentioned how Moose played with Tom Brady and how Brady didn’t listen to people on social media when they said he deflated footballs. Bennett said tonight was their Super Bowl and you can’t win the game without the proper equipment. Bennett handed Moose a galvanized pipe and said he would do the right thing “for us”.

Back at the Hardy compound Reby was on the hunt for Rosemary with a sword. Rosemary flew up Matt Hardy’s fireman pole. Rosemary then stood on the balcony and threw down the fake Maxel doll from a while ago. SeÒor Benjamin walked out and said he had Maxel. Reby said no one comes in her house and messes with her family. Reby told SeÒor Benjamin to prepare the battlefield for massacre…

Maria handled Mike Bennett’s introductions while also introducing herself as the new Knockouts Champion.

5. Lashley vs. Mike Bennett (w/Maria) for the TNA Championship. Lashley dominated early on with some shoulder tackles against the turnbuckle. Josh Mathews reminded the viewers that Bound for Glory is on October 2. Bennett tried to float over Lashley but was caught midair. Lashley leapfrogged Bennett and punched Bennett down. Lashley hit his signature vertical suplex. Lashley teased a spear but Moose walked out with a pipe. [C]

Bennett was in control back from the break. Bennett went for a one count after a boot. Bennett then hit a few basement dropkicks on the head of Lashley. Maria hit Lashley with her brace which confused Lashley as he went for a comeback. Moose loomed on ringside. Maria ran in and hit Lashley with the Knockouts Title. Moose lifted Lashley and put him back in the ring. Lashley kicked out at two. Bennett hit Lashley with a shortarm right hand. Lashley escaped the Miracle in Progress. Bennett kicked out of the schoolboy. Lashley hit Bennett with a sidewalk slam.

Mike Bennett escaped a torture rack but was planted by a spinebuster. Maria grabbed Lashley’s leg to keep him from doing the Spear. Bennett hit the neckbreaker to get a two count out of Lashley. Bennett wanted Moose’s pipe. Moose held back. Lashley recovered and hit the spear to retain his championship.

Lashley defeated Mike Bennett via pinfall in 6:50 to retain the TNA Championship

Moose smiled at ringside. Mike Bennett grabbed a mic and called Moose a big stupid animal. He told Moose to get his big dumb ass in the ring and said he couldn’t breathe. Bennett said on who on God’s green earth does Moose think he is. He called Moose a failed football player and nothing without him. He said Moose should do whatever he says whenever he says it. Mike Bennett said he would make sure Moose doesn’t wrestle again if he betrays him again. Eventually Moose hit a clothesline on Bennett to knock him out. The crowd did the Moose arm thing along with the now babyface Moose.

Delete or Decay was teased for next week which looks like Final Deletion II…

John’s Thoughts: It was strange to utilize Lashley as the conduit to turn Moose babyface but at least it worked. Moose probably should have been a babyface in the first place due to his entrance theme but it looks like they went through this convoluted path to get him a Bound for Glory match.

Overall, this was not a noteworthy show, but a nice two hours to watch some developments in the world of TNA. This show also served as one big trailer for the next Final Deletion chapter between Decay and the Broken Hardy Boyz. Reby is walking around with a sword too so that enough to get scared and excited about.